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Melania Trump’s Rare Appearance With Donald Trump Aligns With Her Reaching This Major Milestone

Kristyn Burtt
2 min read
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Melania Trump has been scarce on the campaign trail, preferring to live her own life outside of her husband, Donald Trump. He’s trying to win back the White House and she’s been busy promoting her new memoir, Melania. Still, the former first lady made a rare appearance at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York City on Thursday, Oct. 16.

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The last time the public has seen Melania with the former president at an event was the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July — and she kept a relatively low profile there. The NYC event to benefit Catholic charities has been a must-attend night on the campaign trail for both Democrats and Republicans since the 1960s. That’s why an NBC News source said Melania was in attendance, noting, “It’s tradition,” while also hinting that “this could be a precursor to more activity.”

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump attend the annual Alfred E. Smith Foundation Dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown on October 17, 2024 in New York City. Trump was the featured speaker with comedian Jim Gaffigan as the Master of Ceremonies at the the 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner. The dinner, a white-tie charity event that benefits Catholic charities, is known for political figures poking fun at one another. The foundation honors the late Alfred E. Smith, former governor of New York and America's first Catholic presidential nominee. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump attend the annual Alfred E. Smith Foundation Dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown on October 17, 2024 in New York City.

Melania’s attendance came at a very important time in her publishing career because her book hit a major milestone: she’s a New York Times bestselling author. Donald Trump bragged about this wife during his speech at Thursday’s event. “Can you believe she did a book,” he gushed, per The Daily Beast. “It’s a really good book and she worked hard on it, it just became number one on the New York Times list, that’s an easy thing to do especially when your name is Trump.”

Of course, he had to pat himself on the back, even though it was her accomplishment. Melania also made headlines for declaring her stance on abortion in the book at a time when women’s reproductive rights were being attacked. “Restricting a woman’s right to choose whether to terminate an unwanted pregnancy is the same as denying her control over her own body,” Melania wrote. “I have carried this belief with me throughout my entire adult life.”

That’s a far different opinion from her husband, who stacked the Supreme Court with conservative judges who overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. It’s a hot-button election-year issue that could help determine who becomes president in less than three weeks. Will Melania’s beliefs help or hurt Donald Trump’s chances? She doesn’t seem bothered either way since she doesn’t share the same political ambitions as her husband. Instead, she’s looking to move more merchandise and books because it wouldn’t be surprising for her to do a follow-up publication after her big success.

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Before you go, click here for more Trump family tell-all books.

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